Chess Puzzle #ESD2B — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1465 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, fork, short.

Position

White: king d5; rook a7; pawns a2/c2/g4/h3. Black: king f6; knight b5; pawns b6/c5/g5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra6 — rook a7→a6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight b5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d5→c6).
  3. Best move: Nxa6 — knight c7→a6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, short. The key move is Nc7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/1p3k2/1npK2p1/6P1/7P/P1P5/8 w - - 5 38

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.